HB 1200, the "Mississippi Safe Dorms Act," requires Mississippi public universities and colleges to provide single-sex living facilities for first-year students under 21 who are unmarried, prohibits sex offenders from residing in campus housing, and bans faculty from having consensual relationships with students over whom they hold authority. The bill also mandates institutions to develop sexual assault prevention programs and materials, and allows students to file civil lawsuits for violations within one year. It died in committee on February 3, 2026, after being referred to the Universities and Colleges and Judiciary A committees. The legislation cites campus safety data, including 82% of campus rapes occurring in on-campus housing, as justification for its provisions.
HB 1174 proposed designating the second Monday of October as "Indigenous Peoples' Day" in Mississippi, replacing the previous observance of Columbus Day. The bill would have established this as a day of commemoration for Native American heritage and contributions, not a legal holiday. It directly affected state government observances and potentially public school activities, aligning with similar designations like Veterans' Day. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
HB 1188 requires Mississippi's State Health Officer to obtain the Governor's approval before releasing public health orders related to disease control and quarantine measures. This bill specifically targets orders issued to suppress diseases and prevent their spread, directly affecting the State Health Officer's ability to communicate such directives publicly. The key provision mandates that these orders must be approved by the Governor prior to public release, adding a procedural step to health emergency communications. The bill died in committee in 2026 and never became law.
HB 1193 would have amended Mississippi's Employer-Assisted Housing Teacher Program by removing a requirement that loan recipients must purchase a home and reside in the county where they work. The bill affects licensed teachers in school districts designated as having critical teacher shortages, keeping the $6,000 loan limit and 3-year service requirement for converting loans to interest-free grants. Key changes include eliminating the county residency rule while maintaining other program terms, such as repayment for less than 3 years of service. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 1208 revises Mississippi’s state and school employees’ health insurance plan to require the state to cover 50% of the health insurance cost for eligible dependents of all full-time employees, regardless of when they were hired. This applies to state employees, public school staff, library workers, and community college employees who work at least 20 hours weekly. The bill maintains the state’s 100% coverage for employees themselves but shifts the dependent coverage cost-sharing from employees to the state for all new hires (post-2006) and extends this requirement to all dependents. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
HB 1199, the "Charlie Kirk Campus Free Speech and Safety Act," would have required Mississippi public colleges and universities to designate all outdoor campus areas as public forums for free expression. It prohibits schools from creating "free speech zones" or restricting noncommercial speech (like protests or leafleting) unless conduct is unlawful or causes significant disruption. The bill also mandates schools to publish clear free speech policies online and in student handbooks, and to allow student groups (including religious or political organizations) equal access to benefits like facilities and funding. Violations could be challenged in court within one year. The bill died in committee in 2026 and was never enacted.
HB 1194 changes Mississippi's public employee retirement system by reducing the required service years for retirement eligibility from 35 to 30 years for "New Tier" members (those who joined after July 1, 2007). It directly affects public employees in this tier who qualify for retirement benefits. The bill revises Section 25-11-111 to allow these members to retire with 30 years of service regardless of age, rather than requiring 35 years. For those retiring before age 60 with less than 30 years, the bill adjusts benefit calculations to account for the reduced service requirement.
HB 1214 establishes a state credit enhancement program to guarantee Mississippi school districts' general obligation bonds, lowering their borrowing costs by leveraging state credit. It directly affects school districts issuing bonds after January 1, 2027, requiring them to obtain a state certificate for guaranteed bonds. Key provisions include the state covering principal and interest payments if tax collectors fail to transfer funds (with districts later repaying the state plus interest), while districts retain full debt responsibility. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and does not create state debt.
HB 1186 would require Mississippi school districts to provide written parental consent before modifying a student's special education plan (IEP) or sharing their disability-related records, including for billing or public benefits access. It specifically targets federal rules that might bypass parental consent, mandating written notice to parents each time IEP changes occur or records are accessed. The bill also establishes a legal remedy allowing parents to sue schools or agencies that violate these consent requirements. However, this bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 1176 would require Mississippi's State Department of Health to inspect nursing and assisted living facilities during regular unannounced visits to verify compliance with rules for emergency power sources. This bill amends existing licensing laws to add emergency power system checks as a standard part of facility inspections. It directly affects all licensed nursing and assisted living facilities in Mississippi by mandating this specific inspection requirement. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 345 establishes the MissHEALTH Pilot Program to provide financial grants to Mississippi law enforcement agencies for transporting individuals experiencing mental health crises to hospitals or treatment facilities. The program requires participating agencies to contribute a 25% funding match, limits the pilot to three agencies over one year, and mandates joint administration by the Departments of Mental Health, Finance and Administration, and Medicaid. The bill also outlines specific protocols for crisis evaluations, transportation, and hospital coordination, but the measure "died in committee" on February 3, 2026, after being referred to committees.
HB 1184 prohibits health insurers in Mississippi from denying coverage for medical services solely because a person hasn't received a vaccine recommended or required by the state health officer. It directly affects individuals with health insurance who may face coverage denials based on vaccination status. The bill requires insurers to cover claims regardless of vaccination history for state-recommended vaccines, applying to all defined health insurers including plans like the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, though the bill died in committee in February 2026.
